Two dead after motorcycle crash in Soddy-Daisy

Motorcycle crash tile
Motorcycle crash tile

Two people died in a crash on Highway 27 in Soddy-Daisy on Sunday night.

According to an incident report from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Sharon McDonald, 68, was traveling east on Posey Hollow Road in a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder. McDonald came to the intersection with Highway 27 and turned into the path of an oncoming 2012 Harley-Davidson carrying two people.

The motorcycle was being driven by John "Bart" Purcell, 51, of Soddy-Daisy. Purcell's Harley struck the side of the Nissan, and both vehicles spun out.

Purcell and his wife, Tonia Purcell, 46, both died at the scene of the accident.

McDonald was injured in the crash.

Alan Bailey, a special programs sergeant with the highway patrol, said the investigating trooper will meet with the district attorney in the coming days once all the evidence comes back to see whether McDonald will face any criminal charges for her role in the accident.

Contact Patrick Filbin at pfilbin@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6476. Follow him on Twitter @PatrickFilbin.

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